Data reveals major U.S. cities with most cockroaches, rats

Got a pest problem? New data is revealing just what types of vermin are common in major cities around the United States and how often residents report seeing critters like rats, mice and cockroaches.

The most recent American Housing Survey looked at issues like plumbing and heating problems, along with reports of vermin in 25 major cities around the country.

Of the cities surveyed, Seattle, Wash. had the highest percentage of homes reporting signs of rats, while Richmond, Va. had the lowest, with only .18 percent of homes saying they had evidence of rats. With a few outliers, signs of rats tended to be highest in the cities surveyed in Texas and Florida.

Mice, meanwhile, were much more common, especially in colder climates. Philadelphia, Pa. had the highest percentage of all the cities surveyed with nearly one-fifth of homes showing signs, while Tampa, Fla. had the lowest.

As for cockroaches, Tampa was not so lucky. It reported the highest percentage, with more than one-third of homes having a roach problem. Seattle got a break in this category with 1 percent reporting signs, the lowest of the 25 cities surveyed.

The survey also asked participants to report evidence even when the residents weren't sure what kind of rodent they had.

Rodents carry a variety of diseases which can be spread through their droppings, saliva and even indirectly through insects that have fed on them, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports. The CDC recommends keeping your home clean and sealing any holes to reduce the chance of rodent problems.

Cockroaches can be a major problem for allergy sufferers and certain methods of getting rid of them can also be harmful, the National Center for Healthy Housing explains. It also recommends cleaning house and closing up holes to help avoid problems.